Belt-shifter



E. E. JONES.

BELT SHIFTER.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.22, 192

Patented Dec. 6, 1921..

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APPLICATION FILED JAN. 22. 1921.

Pafented Dec. 6, 1921.

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E. E. IONES,

BELT SHIFTER.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.22, I921- Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

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I J e t m M e a" a 1 KW UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EMERALD E. JONES. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSZGNOB, TO SUB-TY GUARD COMPANY. OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A GORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

BELT-SHIFTER.

Application filed January 22, 1921.

To aZZ whom it may concern.

Be it known that l, EMERALD E. JoNns, a subject of the King of Great Britain. and a r st ntin the city oi Chicago county of Cook. and State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Beltshiiiters. of which the following is a specification. L

My invention relates to belt shitters ot' genera. type shown i United States, No. 1.- I To, r. application on November 23, 1910, and it has for its object the provision of improved means for operating the shifting mcchanisn'z whereby a more completely controlled and more positively acting structure may be obtained.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combinations and arrangements of parts hereinatt scribed and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the actompanying orawings forming a part of this specification, it'll in which.

Figure l. is a side view of my improve-ii mechanism applied in position for shiit'ti a belt;

Fig. 2 is an end iew of the me hanism as seen from the left in Fig. 1;

Fig. is an enlarged detail view, being a section taken on line 33 of 1;

' is an end vi w or tl e mechanism as the right in Fig. l; 1 5 a cross section taken SllbSiiQ' on no 5-5 of Fig. l but with cert. the parts in changed position;

Fig. 6 is view of the parts shown i t seen from above in said figure; and

. 1 on my te m .ri, of

Big. 7 is a section taken on line '?7 of Fig". 6.

xeterring to the several figures of lraviings. 10 indicates drivi G-Cl Y mounted upon a line sh= 1 revoluby suppor ed in position a short distance below the ceiling of a shop or liwrtory, the pulley being operatively connected by means of an endless belt 12 with any suitable machine (not shown) which it is desired to drive. As is shown in i, there is no idler pulley arranged adjacent to the drii'ing pulley 10 upon which the belt may be slipped for discontinuing the driving operation, and it is to the supplying of this want that my invention is directed.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 6, 1921.

Serial No. 439,098.

tween the frarnes so as to he slid along the cross bars, one of the belt shifting members being opposite one edge of the belt and the other being opposite the other edge. Means is provided for actuating the shifting members for engaging the edge of the belt on one side or the other for moving the belt edgewise. belt supporting means being pro vided upon one ot the frames for supporting the belt at one side of the driving pulley 10.

Coming now to a detailed description of my improved mechanism, 13 and 14 indicate posts depending from the ceiling at one side of the driving pulley 10; such posts having adjustable connection with a curved frame bar 15 upon the inner face of which there are, mounted a plurality of rollers 16 in position to receive the belt 12 thereon and to supportthe belt when it is moved toward the left from its position upon the driving pulley L. as shown in Fig. 1. Upon the bar 15, I have provided a bracket 17, from which extend two short rods 18 in parallel position supporting upon their outer ends a bracket 19; and upon the lower end of the curved bar 15, I have provided a second plate or bracket 20 adjustably mounted in position.

.frt the opposite side of the driving pulley i0, 1 have provided a post 21 depending from the ceiling and having a bracket 22 adjustably mounted thereon, the adjustable connection between the post 21 and the bracket being effected by the use of adjustable sleeves or collars 23. Adjust-ably connected to the lower end of the bracket 22, I have provided a bracket 24, the bracket 2% being mounted by means of two pairs of adjustable sleeves and an interposed connecting rod 25. By the provision of the adjustable connections between the several frame members as above described, the parts of the frame are capable of being adjusted to meet varying conditions. As is clearly shown in l, the bracket 22 is disposed directly opposite the bracket 19, being connected therewith by means of cross bars 26, and the bracket 24 is disposed directly 0pposite the bracket 20 such brackets being connected b means of two cross bars 27. By the provision of the adpistmeuts as above described the position of the cross bars 26.

' upon its inner face with a spool or roller 31 is provided witha pulley .32 mounted opposite the other edge oi the belt 12. Upon its outer face the slide block 33, as will be described hereinafter.

For controlling the position of the slide block 31,1 have provided a latch member 8 1 pivotally mounted upon the outer :lace of the block (see Fig. 5), the operative end of the latch being provided with pin 35 adapted to engage one of the notches 36 provided in the bar 27 as shown in Fig; 1, the end of the latch 8 1 opposite that in which the pin 35 is mounted being equipped with a coiled spring 37 which holds the pin yieldingly in contact with the rod 26. l. 1:- otally mounted upon the slide block 31 (see Fig. 7) I have provided alever or arm 38 the end of which is beveled as is best shown in Fig. 5, for operative engagement with a diagonally disposed face at the latch t l-(i. As will be readily understood from reference to Fig. 5, when the bar 38 is given a movement toward the letl'it in that figure, the pin35 is lifted out of contact with. the bar 27 against the action of the spring 37. The arrangement is such that upon a movement oi the slide block 31 to the limit oi? its'uiotion toward the left in Fig. 1 into contact with a collar 39 on one of the bars 27, engagement of the pin with one of the notches 36 serves to hold the slide block against movement in the reverse direction until the latch 34; has been operated by means of the lever 38 or in some other suital manner for releasing the latch from opera tive engagement with the rod 27. he best shown in Fl 6, the pulley 33 above re ferred to, isrevolubly mounted upon a plate or clip 4.0 carried by the arm 38 and movable therewith. I

For manipulating the slide blocks 28 and 31, I have; provided the framework with a plurality of idler pulleys tor accommodating and controlling flexible cords or cables for applying power to said slide blocks. A331 is shown in Fig. 2, arable 41 provided with a handle 12 is suspended. in convenient position from a pulley 413 over which the cable ext-ends. From the pulley d3, the cable ex.-

tends to a second pulley M1, downwardly from which the cable leads to a pulley l5 revolubly' mounted upon the bracket From the pulley 45, the cable extends to a pulley 4E6, thence about the pulley 33 upon the slide block 31, thence about a pulley carried'by therbracket 20, about pulleys 4S and 49 carried b 1 the bracket 19 and thence to the slide block 28, to which the end of the cable is connected. Upon a downwardpull on the cable 11, forceis applied. to both of the slide blocks 28 and 31, as will be readily understood, the force applied to the block or carriage 31 being normally twice that applied to the block or :"irriage 28, by reason of the two-ply. engagement between the cable and the block 81 through the medium of the pulley 33 as compared with the single ply engagement between the cable and the block 28. By the use oi a movable pulley engagement between the cable and one ot the blocks and the fixed connection between the cable and the other block, differential effect is produced in the application off, power to the slide blocks through the (lium of the cable 4C1.

fil or moving the slide blocks in the opposite directioinl have provided a second cable 50 provided with a handle 51 in convenient position for the operator, such cable dependinp; from a pulley 52 mounted upon the coiling. From the pulley 52, the cable extends to and over a pulley 53 thence downwardly over two pulleys 54; and 55 carried by'the bracket 22 (see Fig. i) thence about the pulley 30, back to apulley 56 carried by the bracket 22 thence over a pulley 57, and from there. over a pulley 58 carried bythe bracket and to the slide block 31 where it is connected by means 01 an eye 59 with the arm or lever 38 (see Fig. 1). the provision of the two-ply engagement oi the cable 50 with the slide bloclr 28'and the single-ply connection of said cable with the slide block 31, a differential application of operation of the driven machine the operator exerts a downward pull upon the handle 4-2. The slide block 31 is first moved toward the left, until the spool 32 comes in contact with the edge of the belt, by which the re sistance to the movement of the block 31 toward the left in Fig. 1 is increased. ,The slide block 28 is then moved to the limit of its motion toward the left in said figure, after which a continued downward pull upon the cabl 11 servas to cause the slide block 81 to move toward the left, forcing the belt 12 out of engagement with the driving; pulley 10 into position upon the rollers 16 which constitute the belt supportingmeans carried by the curved frame bar 15. lVhen the slide block 31 reaches thelimit of its motion toward the left in said Fig. 1, the latch 34 is moved into latching engagement with the rod 2? as above described rvi to prevent the slide block from moving a ain toward the right in that figure until subsequent release of the latching member F it. 111 this manner, the belt 12 is prevented from returning into position upon the driving pully 10 until the operator is read for renewed operation of the maenine being driven. lVhen it is desired to return the belt 12 to operative position upon the driving pulley, this result is effected by a downward pull upon the handle 51. The first result is the application of pressure upon the edge of the belt by the spool or roller 29. hen the movement of the spool 29 toward the right in Fig. 1 is stopped by reason of engagement of the opposite edge of the belt with the spool or roller 32 which is latched in position, the force of the cable 50 upon the lever 38 is increased, serving to release the latch Elet, as above described, for permitting the movement of the slide blocks and the belt to ward the right in F 1 for bringing the belt again into operative position upon the driving pulley 10.

By reason of providing an enlargement at the outer end of each of the rollers 16, as is best shown in Fig. 3, the tendency of the belt 12 to shift into position upon the pulley 10 is materially decreased, whereby the locking effect of the latch 34 and the pin 35 is rendered ample in every way.

lVhile I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. 1, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of the construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A belt shifter comprising two frames positioned on opposite sides of a belt, means carried by one of said frames for supporting the belt, a pair of bars interposed between said frames, a slide block movably mounted on said bars, a roller revolubly mounted on said slide block opposite one edge of the belt, and means for moving said. slide block for pushing said belt into position on said belt supporting means.

2. A belt shifter comprising two shiftingmembers mounted on opposite sides of the belt near one end portion and movable independently of each other transversely of the belt, and means for moving said shifting members in the same direction independently of any movement of the belt,

3. A belt shifter comprising-- two shifting members mounted on opposite sides of the belt near one end portion and movable inde pendently of each 0th rtransversely of the belt, means adapted positively to move said shifting members in the same direction independently of any movement of the belt, and other means adapted positively to move said shifting members in the opposite direction also independently of any movement of the belt.

4:. A belt shifter comprising two shifting members mounted on opposite sides of the belt near one end portion and movable in dependently of each other transversely of the belt, and means adapted positively to move one of said shifting members in one direction for shifting the belt transversely and adaptedpositively to move the other shifting member in the same direction independently of the movement of the belt.

5. A belt shifter comprising two shift ing members mounted on opposite sides of the belt near one end portion and movable independently of each other transversely of the belt, and a cable having operative en gagement with each of said shifting members adapted to give them a positive movement in the same direction transversely independently of any movement of the belt.

6. A belt shifter comprising two shifting members mounted on opposite sides of the belt near one end portion and movable independently of each other transversely of the belt, and a cable having operative engagement with both of said shifting members adapted positively to move one member toward the belt and the other member in the direction away from the belt, said cable being arranged to have a differential effect upon said two members.

7. A belt shifter comprising two shifting members mounted on opposite sides of. the belt near one end portion and movable in dependently of each other transversely of the belt, and two cables each having opera tive engagement with both of said shifting members for moving the members in the same direction and each arranged to have a differential effect upon said members, one of said cables having the greater effect upon one of said'members and the other cable having the greater effect upon the other member.

8. A belt shifter comprising a framework; two shifting members mounted on said framework on opposite sides of a belt and movable transversely of the belt independently of each other; a plurality of idler pulleys on said framework; a pulley connected with one of said shifting members; and a cable connected to the other of said shifting members and passing about one of said idler pulleys, passing thence about the pulley on said shifting member, and

passing thence about another of said idler pulleys, for moving both of said shifting members. i

9. A belt shifter comprising a framework; two shifting members mounted .on said framework on opposite sides of a belt and movable transversely of the belt independently of eachother; a plurality of idler pulleys on said frame at each side of said belt; a pulley connected with each of said shiftin members; a cable connected to oneof said shifting members and passing about one of said idler pulleys, passing thence about the pulley on the other of said shift inrr members, and passing thence about anotlier of said idler pulleys, for moving both of said hifting members in onedirection; and a second cable connected to the other of said shifting members and passing therefrom about one of said idler pulleys, passing thence aboutthe other of said pulleys on'the shifting members, and passing thence to another of said idler pulleys, for moving both of said shifting members in the opposite direction from that in which said first named cable moves the said members.

10. A belt shifter comprisin two frames positioned on opposite sides of a belt, means carried by one of said frames for supporting the belt, a bar interposed between said frames, a belt shifting member slidably mounted on said bar, a cable in engagement with said member for moving it along said bar, and a second cable in engagement with said member and having a differential effect thereon for moving it in the opposite direction along said bar. a a

11. A belt shifter comprising twoframes positioned on opposite sides of a belt, means carried by one ofsaid frames for supporting the belt, a bar interposed between said frames, a belt shifting member slid-ably mounted on said bar, a cable having a sin leply connection with said shifting mem er for moving it in one direction, and a second cable having a double-ply difi'e'rentialconnection with said member for moving it in the op osite direction.

12. belt shifter comprising a curved frame member, means for adjustably supporting said frame member at the side of a driving pulley, belt supporting means car-v ried by said frame member, a second frame member adjustably mounted on said first named frame member, a belt shifting member movable with respect to; said frame opposite the edge of abelt passing over said pulley, and means arranged for moving said belt shifting member transversely with respect to the belt in the adjusted position of said second frame member.

13. A belt shifter comprising a curved frame member, means for adjustably supporting said frame member at the side-of a driving pulley, belt supporting means carried by said frame member, a second frame memof said second frame member and having operative engagement with said belt shifting member for moving the belt from the pulley into position on the belt supporting means carried by said first named frame member. I

14. A belt shifter comprising a curved framemem-ber, a plurality of depending supports adjustably connected with said frame member for supporting it at the side of a driving pulley, belt supporting means carried by saidv frame member, a second frame member adjustably mounted. on said first named frame member, a belt shifting member movable with respect to said frame opposite the edge of abelt passing over said pulley, and means arranged for moving said belt shifting member transversely with respect to the belt in the adjusted position of said second frame member.

15. A belt shifter comprising a curved frame member, means for adjustably supporting said frame member at the side of a driving pulley, belt supporting means carried by said frame member, a second frame member adjustably mounted on said first named frame member, a plurality of other frame members adjusta'bly connected together, means for adjustably supporting said last named frame members at the opposite side of said driving pulley, a belt shifting member movably mounted between the frame parts at opposite sides of the driving pulley and adapted to be positioned by the adjustment of said frame members in position opposite the edge of the belt passing over said driving pulley, and means arranged for moving said belt shifting member transversely with respect to the belt.

16. A belt shifter comprising a shifting member mounted opposite the edge of a belt and movable transverselythereof, tackle for moving said shifting member toward said belt for moving the belt edgewise, and automatically acting means on said shifting member for holding same against a return movement away from the belt.

17. A belt shifter comprising a shifting member mounted opposite the edge of a belt and movable transversely thereof, tackle for moving said shifting member toward said belt for moving the belt edgewise, automatically acting means on said shifting member for holding same against a return movement away from the belt, and means for releasing said shifting member and for moving it in the direction away from the belt.

18. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame, means on said frame for supporting said belt thereon, tackle for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said suppor ing means, and automatically acting means on said shifting member for holding same against movement away from the belt serving to prevent the belt from mo ing out of engagement with said supporting means. 7

19. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame, means on said frame for supporting said belt t iereon, tackle for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said supporting means, automatically acting means on said shifting member for holding same against movement away from the belt, and means for releasing said holding means and for moving the shifting member in the direction away from the belt.

20. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame, means on said frame for supporting said belt thereon, means for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said supporting means, automatically acting means on said shifting member for holding same against movement away from the belt, a lever on said shifting member adapted by a stroke in one direction to release said holding means for permitting said shifting member to move in the direction away from the belt, and means for giving said lever an operative stroke for releasing said holding means and for moving the shifting member in the direction away from the belt.

21. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame,

means on said frame for supporting said belt thereon, tackle for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said supportim means, and a spring pressed latch on sai shifting member adapted automatically to hold same against movement away from the belt serving to prevent the belt from moving out of engagement with said supporting means.

22. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame, means on said frame for supporting said belt thereon, means for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said supporting means, a spring pressed latch adapted automatically to hold said shifting member against movement away from the belt, a lever adapted by a stroke in one direction to release said latch, and a cable connected with said lever for releasing said latch and moving said shifting member in the direction away from the belt.

23. A belt shifter comprising a frame located opposite one edge of a belt, a shifting member movably mounted on said frame, means on said frame for supporting said belt thereon, means for moving said shifting member for moving the belt into position on said supporting means, a spring pressed latch adapted automatically to hold said shifting member against movement away from the belt, a lever adapted by a stroke in one direction to release said latch, a cable.

connected with said lever for releasing said latch and moving said shifting member in the direction away from the belt, and a second cable also operatively engaging said lever for moving the shifting member to ward said belt.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EMERALD 'E. JONES.

'Witnesses:

JosrrUA R. H. Porrs, B. G. RICHARDS. 

